The Peabody Awards

The Honorable Woman (SundanceTV, BBC)

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been with us for generations and will likely continue to be so, and The Honorable Woman impressively conveyed that sense of historic impasse and the weight of individual commitment on both sides. Yet it also managed to feel utterly immediate, its premiere coinciding with the 2014 Israeli assault on Gaza and continuing revelations about the pervasive extent of U.S. and British intelligence surveillance. And it was so much more: a riveting thriller with a dense and intricate storyline, visually stylish and with stunning set-pieces; an intimate portrait of a central character trying to reconcile her public profile with her personal secrets; and a meditation on the nature of trust in human relationships. Written, directed and produced by Hugo Blick, the series is also notable for the number of key protagonist roles for women it features. And what a cast it has – led by a superb performance from Maggie Gyllenhaal in the central role (but is she really the honorable woman of the title?). For engaging our intellects and emotions in equal measure and rewarding both in abundance, The Honorable Woman is honored with a Peabody Award.